9/13/10

Sometimes, Lord,
when I look at the day ahead of me
I wonder and worry
how I'm going to make my way to its end...

Sometimes I look at the week or the month ahead
and wonder how I'll get from here to there,
to the other side of what seems immovable,
impassable, impossible...

But day after day, week after week
I get there, Lord, no matter how slowly the day,
the week, the month -even the hour- may pass,
I get there...

And looking back on the path I've walked,
so often the journey seems shorter, simpler, safer
than what I imagined at its beginning...

Help me remember, Lord, at this day's start,
and as I survey the week and month before me,
help me remember
- when even the next hour seems too much to bear -
help me remember that my passage will be safe,
my burdens lighter
and the length of my day halved
with you in my heart and by my side...

I offer you, Lord, this day, this week
and every hour in it...

I offer you the hours that seem days long,
the days that seem like weeks
and the weeks that have no end...

Help me trust that in your company
I'll come to day's end, to Sunday's rest,
and to seasons' change
safe and secure
in your company, in your presence
and in your strength when mine is spent...

I offer you my memories of hours, days, weeks,
months and years I thought I'd not survive but did,
and I pray you refresh in my soul the courage I need
to live my life a day at a time, an hour at a time,
secure in your strong arms...

Keep me mindful, Lord,
of others who stand before this day
unsure of where it will lead and take them:
help us all be understanding and gentle with one another,
offering support where it's needed,
accepting others' help when when it's offered...

I offer you this day, Lord,
as long or short as it may seem
and trust that this day's end
will find me by your side
and you by mine...

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.